In Search of an Unknown Race — page 153: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VAN. 141 doubt whether he would go under any circumstances for another reason.” ‘‘ What is that?” curiously asked Van. ‘‘He hopes and expects—with good reason, too—to be made governor of the province if Xalaqua resigns an- other year by reason of his age as is expected, and ‘f But Martin’s speech was brought to a conclusion by the approach of Mr. Briscoe and Ninada. Both were very pale, but -alm and outwardly composed. Martin drew back respectfully as Mr. Briscoe took his nephew by the hand. ‘“You know all I would say, Van,” he said in a voice of repressed emotion, ‘‘only remember I am trusting what is far dearer than my own life into your hands, and—and—should anything occur that Ninada never comes back to Itambez, she must look to you as a protector. May God bless and keep you both.” ‘‘T will be faithful to my trust,” was the solemm reply, and Mr. Briscoe saw in the young man’s earnest, resolute features that this was no form of idle words. The last farewells were spoken, and the little party stepped on board the raft, the fasts were loosed, and its head pushed out.into the swift current of the stream. The scene was indelibly photographed upon Van’s memory. The buoyant raft gathering increasing head- way as two rude sweeps were manned by four of the crew, who began a strangely pathetic chant in their own language. Ninada, standing by her nurse with a look of dejection on her beautiful face as her tear- dimmed eyes were strained to catch the last glimpse of her father, who remained leaning against the stone parapet of the bridge, his dark figure outlined against Eomicboo ‘Ss (E(0)